1847-D $2.50 (Regular Strike)

David Akers (1975/88): The 1847-D is a rare date, but surprisingly, it is not as difficult to obtain in AU or Unc. as the less highly regarded 1847 or 1847-O. Most specimens I have seen were generally well struck, much like the 1847-C.

Doug Winter: The 1847-D is among the most common Dahlonega quarter eagles. It is a good type coin since it can be located in high grades with relative ease.

The 1847-D is one of the more common Dahlonega quarter eagles. It can be located with relative ease in Very Fine and Extremely Fine grades. Low end About Uncirculated pieces are available but the issue is rare in the higher range of this grade. Like all quarter eagles from the Dahlonega Mint, the 1847-D is very rare in Mint State.

STRIKE: This date is found with an average quality strike. The obverse typically appears softer than the reverse. At the central obverse, there is weakness on the eyebrow, the curls near the ear and eye, the back of the hair and the edge of the bun. The border shows sharper detail with the stars nearly fully defined at their radial lines. The denticles are mostly sharp although they sometimes appear weaker at the lower right side than at the left side. The reverse is usually very sharply detailed. All of the feather detail is bold with the exception of the eagle’s right leg which may not be fully struck. The lettering and the denticles are both very sharp as well.

SURFACES: The 1847-D quarter eagle can be found with relatively clean, smooth surfaces. But the typical example shows scattered marks in the fields. Clashmarks are sometimes visible at the upper reverse and mint-made die scratches (which might be confused with scratches not of mint origin) can be seen at the D in UNITED and through the right wing tip to the ST in STATES.

LUSTER: On high grade, uncleaned pieces, there is often average quality frosty luster. A few are known which show exceptional luster and these are highly coveted by date and type collectors.

COLORATION: Original, uncleaned examples show a range of coloration which includes orange-gold to deep coppery-orange hues. Some of the prettiest Dahlonega quarter eagles I have ever seen are dated 1847-D but the typical piece is bright as a result of having been cleaned or dipped.

EYE APPEAL: The level of eye appeal is slightly above average. A pleasing coin with sharp details, clean surfaces and decent color can be located with patience.

PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS: The 1847-D in the Duke’s Creek collection is the single best Dahlonega quarter eagle that I have ever seen and I have long regarded it as a Gem. In the Green Pond collection, there is an 1847-D quarter eagle that is only graded Mint State-60 by PCGS but it is the single prettiest Dahlonega quarter eagle I have ever seen. It has truly superb deep reddish-gold and orange-green color.

DIE VARIETIES: One die variety is currently known. It seems likely that a second variety exists but it has not yet been identified.

Variety 9-M: On the obverse, the top of the 1 is joined to the bust and the base of this numeral is close to the denticles. The upper right tip of the 7 is joined to the bust and the base of this numeral is far from the denticles. Remains of earlier digits show at the left base of the 1, 4 and 7. The reverse die was used from 1847 all the way through to the termination of Dahlonega quarter eagle coinage in 1859. The mintmark is high and it touches the branch stem. Feathers fill the upper half of the opening in the mintmark. The fraction bar extends to the left side of the opening in the mintmark.